Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 3,521, Samuel Fessenden, Mass.

SERVICE
NUMBER _____
Mass.
Fessenden, Samuel Sarah
3,521
CONTENTS

(Declaration.)
In order to obtain the benefit of the 3 d section of the act of Congress of the 14 th July 1836.
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Worcester County ss.
On this twenty fifth day of July in the Year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty seven, personally appeared, before me, Solomon Strong one of the Justices of the Court of Common Pleas for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, the same being a Court of Record. Sarah Fessenden, now residing in Westminster in said County of Worcester, widow, and formerly wife of Samuel Fessenden, late of said Westminster, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth, on her oath, make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress passed July 4, 1836: That she is now eighty four years of age: that she is the widow of Samuel Fessenden late of said Westminster who was a private soldier in the Revolutionary War. I think he first went to Cambridge and Dorchester in 1775. about 4 or 5 months. The next went to Bennington when Burgoyne was taken. He went away for home when

people began to harvest and returned when ground began to freeze. I have taken pains, and made much inquiry to ascertain who was out with him in the service and have not been able to find any one but what is annexed, and I have no papers or documents in my possession relating to his service.
12406 Sarah Fessenden Massachusetts She further declares, that she was married to the said Samuel Fessenden on the twenty first day of November 1771. at Lexington in the County of Middlesex, and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, by the Reverend Jonas Clarke, then, the settled minister of that Town. That her maiden name was Sarah Pierce. That her husband the aforesaid Samuel Fessenden died at said Westminster, on the thirteenth day of July 1816. and that she has remained a widow ever since that period; as will more fully appear, by reference to the proof hereto annexed.
Witness, Solomon Strong.
Sarah her X Fessenden mark

"Samuel Fessenden and Sarah Dimes both of Lexington were joined in marriage Nov. 21. 1771"
I certify that the above is a true copy from the Records of the Town of Lexington
Attest, Charles Tidd Town Clerk
Lexington July 29 1837.
Midellness Is July 26 th 1837
Personally appeared Charles Tidd the signor of the above certificate, and made solemn oath to the truth of the same, before me.
Samuel Stetson Justice of the Peace
I certify that Charles Tidd above named is a credible witness, and his statements are entitled to full credit.
Samuel Stetson Justice of the Peace

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Middlesex ss. I Elias Thorne Clerk of the Supreme Judicial Court, for the County of Middlesex, do certify that Samuel Stetson Esquire is a Justice of the Peace within & for said County and that his name subscribed to the within certificate is his genuine signature.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the Seal of said Court the twenty sixth day of July 1837-
E. Thorne

Sarah Fessenden Massachusetts
25 dec 1838 Jan 1839
Rejected
See letter 7 th Sept 1837 J. B. Kenn dall, do to S. Strong Oct. 20 1837 do. do. Nov. 2 1837 do May 9 1838 do May 25 1838 Service less than six months
d. S. Strong Oct. 2 1838 to do 25 Sept 38
35 21
Act H July, 1836

5021 REJECTED
P. O. Sarah Fessenden
Service: wid. of Samuel
Enlisted: _____, 18 .
Discharged: _____, 18 .
Application filed: _____, 18 .
Alleges: _____
Re-enlisted: _____
Attorney: _____
P. O. _____
_____ Recognized. _____ Contract.
_____ Cert. of Dis. Searched for _____, 18 .

I Abner Lakin of Westminster in the County of Worcester and Commonwealth of Massachusetts of lawful age to give Testimony, being swindly four years or old and upraised, do testify and say that in the year 1777 I was out in the Revolutionary War at Saratoga and Fort Edward in the State of New York for the space of from six to eight weeks as a soldier and that Samuel Fessenden of said Westminster was then the whole of said term of time and served as a soldier and that the said Samuel was then a married man at that time and that his then wife is now living in said Westminster a widowed woman and has always remained his widow The Captain's name was Elisha Faxon under Colonel Bellcross - and I further testify and say that I can be reading to the said Samuel Fessenden, being out in the war several other times but as to terms of time I cannot state but was at Dorchester in Massachusetts and other places in that vicinity and I believe he was for awhile under Capt. Faxon and all these services were done after the said Samuel was married to this woman who

is still living in said New Britain a widow - whose maiden name was Sarah  Lydia Paine and who in consequence of her husband's absence in the war was com- pelled to leave in a great deal cost of doors for the purpose of upholding life for herself & children Homer Sabin
Commonwealth of Massachusetts Worcester ss. Boston June 20 th 1837
Then personally appeared the above named Homer Sabin and made solemn oath that the above affidavit by him subscribed was true - and I certify that the above named Homer Sabin is a credible witness I being well ac- -quainted with him Before me Simon Sabin was Justice of the Peace

I Anna Fessenden of lawful age testify and say that I am fifty years of age. I am the daughter of the late Samuel Fessenden of Westminster. I was present with him when he died - He died, at said Westminster on the 13 th July 1816, and my mother Sarah Fessenden has remained a widow ever since; as I have lived in the same house with her, ever since that period. Westminster July 25. 1837. Anna Fessenden
Worshipful July 25. 1837. Personally appeared Anna Fessenden above named and made solemn oath to the truth of the above affidavit by her subscription before me Solomon Strong Judge C. C. Pleas.
I certify that I have been long acquainted with Anna Fessenden the signer of the above affidavit; that she is a credible person, and full credit may be given to her statements. Solomon Strong Judge, C. C. Pleas.
ad. ref. at. p.

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Worcester County ss.
On this twenty fifth day of July in the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and thirty seven Personally appeared before me the subscriber one of the Justices of the Court of Common Pleas for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. The same being a Court of Record, Sarah Fessenden , the signer of the within declaration and made solemn oath to the truth of the same
Solomon Strong Judge C.C. Pleas.
I certify that I have been long acquainted with Sarah Fessenden , the signer of the within declaration; that she is a credible person, and her statements are entitled to full credit. The said Sarah Fessenden by reason of age and bodily infirmity, is unable to attend Court, and I took her examination, and administered the oath to her, at her dwelling house in Westminster aforesaid.
Solomon Strong Judge C.C. Pleas.
Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Worcester, ss. I, Joseph L. Kendall, Clerk of said Court of Common Pleas for said County of Worcester, do certify, that the Honorable Solomon Strong above named, is Judge of the said Court, as above expressed, and that his signature as above appears, is in his own proper hand writing; and that Dimeon Sanderson, Esquire, is a Justice of the Peace in and for said County of Worcester, and that his signature to the deposition of Abner Davis , hereto annexed, is in his own proper hand writing. In testimony whereof, I hereto set my name, and affix the seal of said Court, at Worcester, this thirty first day of July, in the year 1837.
J. L. Kendall, Clerk.

I David Sawin of Westminster in the County of Worcester and Commonwealth of Massachusetts and ninety four years old do hereby certify that I was at the Battle of Bunker Hill in the year nineteen hundred and sixty seven as a Sergeant in the Company of Captain Josiah of Westminster and Lieutenant Brown of Springfield in said County and that Sergeant Tappan was there as a soldier nine weeks or more before he got home according to my best recollection and I have no doubt but what he was then the length of time.
David Sawin
Commonwealth of Massachusetts New Bedford July 16 th 1839 Then personally appeared the above named David Sawin and made solemn oath that the above affidavit has been sub- scribed true.
Before me Simon Lord Commissioner of the Peace New Bedford July 16. 1839
I certify that the above named David Sawin is a credible man and a man of truth.
Simon Lord Commissioner of the Peace

Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Worcester, ss. I certify that Simon Sanderson, Esquire, is a Justice of the peace, in and for said County of Wor- cester, and that his signatures to the certificates on the other side of this paper, are in his own proper hand writing.
In testimony whereof, I hereto set my name, and affix the seal of the Court of Common Pleas, for said County, at Worcester, this eighth day of August, in the year 1839.
William Jennison Assistant Clerk.

I Jude Sawyer of Gardner in the County of Worcester and Commonwealth of Massachusetts of lawful age do testify and say that I was at Cambridge in the beginning of the Revolutionary Army as a soldier in the eight months service in the year seventeen hundred seventy five in Captain Richardson's Company and Col. Asa Whitcomb's Regiment and that I was acquainted with Samuel Fessenden of Westminster and was knowing to his serving as a soldier at the same time at Cambridge as one of the eight months men in Captain Samson's Company and in the said Asa Whitcomb's Regiment but I cannot positively say that Mr Fessenden served to the close of the eight months or not, but it is my impression that he did.
Gardner August 23 d 1834
Jude Sawyer
State of Massachusetts } ss. August 23 d 1834 Worcester County — }
Personally appeared the above named Jude Sawyer and made oath in due form of law that the above Deposition by him subscribed is true before me Edward Kendall Justice of the Peace
This may certify that I have been acquainted with the above named Jude Sawyer about forty years and that I consider him a competent and good witness and a man of credibility —
Edward Kendall Justice of the Peace
August 23 1834

I Thomas Johnston of Westminster in the County of Worcester and State of Massachusetts of lawful age do testify and say that I was well acquainted with Mr Samuel Fessenden of Westminster for many years before his death - and that in conversation with Mr Samuel Fessenden about thirty years or more since he told me that he was out in the Army of the Revolution as a Soldier and was at the place called Bunker Hill - And that he also stated to me that he was at Dorchester Heights as a Soldier in the time of the war - And in the course of our conversation he said that in the beginning of the war that there was a good many slavery and that he was called out several times, and was stationed at different places at different times - Dated at Westminster this twenty-sixth day of June A.D. 1838 Thomas Johnston
Worcester ss. June 26 th 1838 Then the above named Thomas Johnston made oath to the above deposition in due form of law Before me Edward Kendall Justice of the Peace
I hereby certify that the above named Thomas Johnston is a credible witness - Edward Kendall Justice of the Peace
June 26 th 1838

I David Clark of Ashburnham in the County of Worcester in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts of lawfull age do testify and say that I know Samuel Hyndon of Westminster to be in the army as a Soldier in the year 1776 five months at New York in the company commanded by Capt. Joseph Saint of Westminster of Col. Holmans regiment Given at Ashburnham June 25 th 1838 David Clark
The with is named David Clark made made oath to the above before me June 25 th 1838 Silas Willard Justice of peace
Worcester ss June 25 1838 I hereby certify that I am well acquainted with David Clark above named and know him to be a credible Witness and a man of truth and veracity
Silas Willard Justice of peace
Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Worcester, ss. I, Joseph G. Kendall, clerk of the court of common pleas for the county of Worcester, do certify that Edward Kendall, and Silas Willard, Esquires, whose names appear on the annexed Depositions, are Justices of the peace in and for said county, and that their signatures to the said Depositions appear to be in their respective hand writing. In testimony whereof, I hereto set my hand, and affix the seal of said court, at Worcester, this fifth day of September, 1838.
J. G. Kendall. Clerk

Sept 10.
Miss Abigail Sarah Fessenden,
2406 Regd
J. L. Edwards Esquire Commissioner of Pensions.
Washington D. C.

Scituate Mass. August 20 1838.
Dear Sir.
I enclose three other deposits in the case of Sarah Fessenden of Westborough Worcester County Mass the widow of Samuel Fessenden of said Westborough whose application for a pension has been before you for some time.
Yours respectfully.
Solomon Story.

Aug 14
Mass.
Addl proof Sarah J. Spenden
Pension Office
Washington City. D. C.

Sturminster (Mass.) July 22 1839.
Dear Sir,
I am requested to transmit to the Pension office the enclosed affidavit of David Sabin to be used as additional evidence in the case of the application of Sarah Fessenden , of Westminster (Mass.) for a pension. Please to add it to the other evidence in the case and see if the whole evidence proves the requisite service. If a pension certificate is granted please to send it to me.
Yours respectfully,
Solomon Strong.

I Nathan Wood, of Westminster, County of Worcester & Commonwealth of Massachusetts, aged Eighty four years do testify and say, that I enlisted into a Company of Militia for the term of six weeks, commanded by Captain Hill of Harvard in said County of Worcester in the Regiment commanded by Col. Willis and marched for Roxbury the first part of December 1843 and was stationed at said Roxbury the above term of six weeks & I further testify that Samuel Fessenden enlisted into the same Company, with me as a private soldier and performed his duty as such to the close of the term above mentioned, Nathan Wood Westminster July 30. 1887. Then Nathan Wood above named personally appeared and was sworn to the truth of the above certificate by him subscribed before me, & I certify that I consider him a man of veracity & credible witness.
Nathan Wood Justice of Peace.
To be used in the case of Sarah Fessenden , Widow, Applicant for a Pension.

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Worcester, ss. I, Joseph Kendall, clerk of the court of common pleas for said county of Worcester, do certify that Abel Wood, Esquire, is a justice of the peace in and for said county, and that his signature to the foregoing certificate, is in his own proper handwriting.
In testimony whereof, I hereto set my name and affix the seal of said court, at Worcester this fifth day of August, in the year 1837.
Joseph Kendall Clerk

Oct 16
file Percy Sarah habet
War Department.
Washington City D.C.

Staminster Mass. Oct. 7 1837
Dear Sir
A printed circular which was sent from the Pension Office to Mrs Sarah Fessenden of Westminster Mass. Applicant for a pension, has been handed to me. The papers in her case were authenticated by me as Judge. I did not know but that the last clause in the circular might apply to an affidavit which I sent to the office, after I sent the other papers. The affidavit was one of Nathan Wood. It was sent to the Clerk of the Court at Worcester, and he was directed to authenticate it, and forward it to Washington. I remarked on the margin of the affidavit that it was to be used in an application of Sarah Fessenden for a pension.
Solomon Strong. Judge, Court Common Pleas.

Nov 2, In at ms
FREE
War Department.
Pension Office.
Washington D.C.

Sturminster Mays. Octr. 27. 1837.
Dear Sir.
Yours of the 20th inst t is duly received, informing me, that the application of Sarah Fessenden for a pension, is rejected, because the papers do not prove six months service. I was aware, that the papers did not prove six months service, or any other definite term. It was all the evidence she could procure. I supposed however, that the Massachusetts Rolls (which are in the War: Office, might have his name on them, and the period of his service: and that this would be sufficient evidence of his service. You do not state, in your letter, whether the name of Samuel Fessenden is on the Mass: Rolls or not.
George W m Crump Esquire. Actg Comr. of Pensions.
Yours respectfully. Solomon Strong.